So how do you ladies spend your evenings when DC are sleeping?

[leaharrison11]

Im a young mum with a 13 month old DS , when i got pregnant all my friends seemed to disappear and also my DS dad didnt stick around , im just starting to get cabin fever from the same old routine soap bath bed, so how do you keep your selfs entertained.. I need tips

[BertieBotts]

Do you have any hobbies? I like photography so sometimes I edit photos I've taken in the day (even just phone photos - keeps me in the habit!)

I also like listening to music so sometimes get really into that and have a good sing

Batch cooking can be fun and practical (on the days you don't feel like cooking you have a ready made dinner!)

I watch films and box sets. When DS was about that age I got really into films, I signed up at blockbuster's, used to walk him all the way there in the buggy and let him look at the colourful kids' dvd cases as I walked around and picked a couple of films for me to watch, checked them out and he usually fell asleep on the way back - that was my evening sorted

I've also done courses which fills up evening time with studying or reading - not much fun, but can be really interesting and gives you a sense of achievement.

And then basically dossing around on mumsnet and facebook and other websites. I sometimes play some computer games too.

Once you start making some other mum friends you might find some who have partners or parents who are willing to look after their DC so that you can have a movie night or something, or they can bring their DC over and you can put them to bed together so that you can chat/have a few drinks. Might be worth contacting some old friends on facebook too? They might be keeping their distance because they think you don't want to go out etc, but might be happy to come to yours instead?

[leaharrison11]

Not really hobbies unless sleeping counts ! I edit pictures on my phone passes the time , i want to go back to studying i will feel like im doing something productive for myself then! Just not to sure how to go about it ! Blockbuster is a good idea i cant afford the box sets out right and there is one quite close ! Erm i give up with my old friends now if i am honest iv reaches out alout to them but they are enjoying going out and there new boy friends atm ! Thank you for the advice x

[jan2013]

i don't know how people get the time to do a lot of stuff! dd is 16 months and im usually so tired from minding her to do anything else even when i have the opportunity. she goes down very late at times too which doesn't help - i feel i don't have time to feel the loneliness. i find praying helps and my faith. if you were into it, church is a good place to make new friends and also usually there is a creche so you get an hour of headspace. i also like having a bath and pampering myself a bit if i have a bit of time - makes me feel all refreshed again and boosts confidence. fitness dvds and dance dvds, (learn a new skill like yoga or kick boxing) fun stuff like that are always good if you have the energy to do them. i want box sets too but can't afford them at the minute! maybe you could have a look at some online learning courses or see if there is any part time courses you could get your dc minded for like one day a week.

[leaharrison11]

Awww i bet that is hard, i love my break at the evenings! I think i will try and look for course , i do do the pamper thing and film thing its just that its been a year now and becoming mundane, just down in the dumps i think ! Thank you so much for your advice tho ladies im going to give myself a kick up the bum

[SPsFanjoIsAsComfyAsAOnesie]

Its the same here.

I actually fancied drawing tonight so bought the stuff I needed.

Sat down at the table and realised I didn't have a sharpener!

Currently feeling sorry for myself now. I need to get out more

[leaharrison11]

Aww no way get some chocolate hun works for me !!

[BertieBotts]

I don't do all of this at once just ideas that I've done at some time or another.

If you go and visit your local colleges, they usually have careers advisors you can speak to, they can advise you on different courses they run, or look at the websites.

There are loads of back series on 4od to watch and sometimes current stuff comes up on iPlayer too. CeX is good for box sets as you can trade the old ones back in when you've watched them towards the new ones - cheaper than buying them outright anyway. The only thing is they don't always have the right one that you want in straight away which can be frustrating!

It is hard when friends move on. I found that there was a bit of a transition period when I had DS but some of my oldest friends "came back" after a while, or people I'd never really seen as anything more than acquaintances became very good friends.

[BertieBotts]

Sharpen them with a knife Fanjo! :)

[SPsFanjoIsAsComfyAsAOnesie]

Don't have any and cant be arsed going to the shop

I don't have friends that visit either by the way. I was the first to have a child. My son is 3 now and all my friends are just having theirs and don't want to be around a toddler or they are too busy with their partners.

[SPsFanjoIsAsComfyAsAOnesie]

They haven't been sharpened before and I attempted it and it just wasn't happening

[BertieBotts]

Here Any blade will do, if you have a craft knife or scalpel that's best, but you can use any old sharp kitchen knife.

[BertieBotts]

Give it another go - get hacking

I get really demoralised when I think I can't do stuff. I went to change the pipe for the dishwasher the other day and thought it had been done up too tight and nearly cried but was able to reach round a different way and I did it - nothing beats that feeling when you beat that impossible thing!

[leaharrison11]

Nice to know someone is in the same boat, i feeling that adjusting to not having friends has been the hardest part of all ,

[SPsFanjoIsAsComfyAsAOnesie]

I built a bed on my own yesterday and felt so proud I sent a picture to my mum

[BertieBotts]

Haha, yay :D I built a bookshelf, but was defeated by a shoe rack. Haha.

[leaharrison11]

Well done i figured out how to use my grill after 18 months posted a pic on fb !

[SPsFanjoIsAsComfyAsAOnesie]

I've done the pencil! Thanks Bertie

[BertieBotts]

Yay Now you can draw!

[BertieBotts]

I'm ridiculously excited because I've just recieved an email saying that my TP group has the use of a free classroom on Friday morning to practice teaching our first ever lesson! I'm doing an English Teaching course and it's bloody terrifying but fascinating and everything about it excites me. I can't quite believe I'm going to be a fully qualified English teacher in just under 3 months!

[leaharrison11]

Awww wow bertie that is amazing ! Have fun :)

[BikingViking]

My friend told me about a good website which I've been using to catch up on various series that I've missed before: watchseries.eu

I also like to read, faff about online (mn or chat with friends on fb) etc.

It's weird but I find I have more of an evening as a single parent than when I was married. Even though exH and I didn't really talk or anything, there just seemed to be so much more housework so my evenings were constantly filled with me trying to chase my tail and keep on top of everything!

[foolonthehill]

no evening...DC too big and are up just about manage to clear the kitchen and i follow them off to bed.

looking forward to them being old enough to be out in the evening so i can have one again!!!!! is that bad of me?? i really miss having time to myself.

[Nat38]

I like to do cross stitch, only the small stitchlet card ones-they show results quicker & I have birthday & christmas cards to hand out that are all lovely & homemade! I only tend to give them to people that I know that will like/appreciate them though!

[equinox]

I do my Buddhist chanting and then I take an early night - winters by 930 summers by 1030 - I am an anally retentive early riser so I enjoy some peace and quiet from 5 or 6 am before my son wakes up in the morning!